Leeds United midfielder Vurnon Anita has today joined Williem II, of the Dutch Eredivisie, on a season-long loan.

Anita, 29, arrived at Elland Road last summer on a free transfer from Newcastle in a deal many considered to be a coup for Leeds, and made his competitive debut for the club in a Carabao Cup tie against Port Vale last August.

But under the management of Thomas Christiansen and then Paul Heckingbottom, the Curaçaoan failed to secure a regular berth in the first-team, made just 22 appearances and was never deployed in his favoured central midfield role.

And the news of his departure, therefore, has arisen with little in the way of surprise - not least because he was deprived of a squad number after United's appointment of Marcelo Bielsa in June.

Leeds have sought to truncate their squad since the arrival of the Argentine, and Anita follows the likes of Caleb Ekuban, Madger Gomes and Hadi Sacko out of the door, whilst speculation abounds that Eunan O'Kane could also be set to depart on loan.

Photo: Action Images

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